I have put off blogging for too long. There have been many, many things to blog about but the task just seems to be too much for me, physically and emotionally. I've been reading my Mom's journals and have felt the need to be recording our happenings so that my kids will have something to look back on and remember the fun times we've had (and the not so fun, too). These past 4 months have been quite a roller coaster. It's hard to believe that it's been 4 months already. We've had lots of emotions and adjusting to not having Grandma around-- mixed with all the fun of the holidays and being with family! I have loved being with my family--they are such a strength to me.
So here is the beginning of trying to recapture the past 5 months.
Camping -Labor DayWe went camping over labor day weekend with Wayne's family just south of Flagstaff. It was beautiful--one of our favorite spots and we brought the motorcycles this time!! Wahoo!
Jeremy, Josh, Leah, Sam, Matthew
Playing chess is a must when we go camping.
I think there was always someone playing.
Steve was teasing the girls because it was Sunday and we were getting a new YW president in our ward. Since we were out in the woods our dear friend, Carlee, was texting us the play by play to find out who it was going to be. We were so excited to find out that Sis. Butler is the new YW President!!!!
Zac on the 80.
I don't think the bikes ever stopped running. They were going non-stop.
Steve and Wayne playing guitar.
It was so fun to sing songs around the campfire with the guitars.
Another highlight was riding on Wayne's quads.
How many kids can you fit on one quad?
Zac showing off his battle wounds a few days later. He crashed on the motorcycle (slid in some gravel) and got some serious road rash. I didn't want him to feel bad so I crashed, too. Silly kids! I went over the handlebars when I hit some rocks on our last run down the mountain. I broke a couple ribs and sprained my knee along with lots of pulled muscles and bruises and cuts. It's no fun getting older. We don't bounce back as well as the younger ones. :)
All in all, it was an amazing weekend! Thanks Wayne and Becky!
Yes, we have chickens. One more thing to add to our ever-growing list of pets. Steve stopped by the feed store on a saturday afternoon and came home with these adorable little fuzzballs. They stayed in a box in the garage for the first 6-7 weeks and then Steve built a coop for them. (pictures to come)
They are very tame and love to be held. Their names are Fred, Ted, and Henry.
They've grown so much already!
Sam is still a mischievous little boy that keeps us on our toes. On this day he took a zip-tie thing that is used to launch a toy and zip-tied it around his wrist. He came to me in tears afraid of getting in trouble, but in pain because it was squeezing. Poor kid. Dr. Dad was there for a quick fix and mom had to snap a picture so we can remember some of the silly things this kid does.
This is one of the better things that happens when you leave kids unsupervised.
My brother, Scott, came for a short visit the end of September to see Mom. Sam absolutely adores him and was beyond happy when he woke up and found Scott sleeping on our couch! 
I can't believe my baby is 5 already. Time is flying by so quickly. I wish that I could freeze time. Sam is such a sweetheart and brings a lot of joy into our home. He has a great sense of humor and loves to quote movies. Being the youngest and only one home during the day he has become a treasured sidekick. I love taking him shopping, or going to visit Grandma, or just snuggle on the couch. He is a ray of sunshine in my life!
The kids thought is was especially funny that the frosting balloons on the cake came off with the candles.
Yippee for playdoh!!
A bug vacuum and terrarium. Just what every little boy needs!
Swords from his cousins!
Waiting to sing "Happy Birthday"
We were lucky to have so many of our family here to celebrate. Mike and his family were in town visiting, plus we had most of the 'local' families there. We appreciate everyone coming to make Sam's day a fun one!
Jeremy, Josh, Leah, Sam, Matthew
Playing chess is a must when we go camping.
Steve was teasing the girls because it was Sunday and we were getting a new YW president in our ward. Since we were out in the woods our dear friend, Carlee, was texting us the play by play to find out who it was going to be. We were so excited to find out that Sis. Butler is the new YW President!!!!
Zac on the 80.
Steve and Wayne playing guitar.
Another highlight was riding on Wayne's quads.
How many kids can you fit on one quad?
Zac showing off his battle wounds a few days later. He crashed on the motorcycle (slid in some gravel) and got some serious road rash. I didn't want him to feel bad so I crashed, too. Silly kids! I went over the handlebars when I hit some rocks on our last run down the mountain. I broke a couple ribs and sprained my knee along with lots of pulled muscles and bruises and cuts. It's no fun getting older. We don't bounce back as well as the younger ones. :)
